Ulster Bank League 2016-2017 Talk/Gossip/Rumours

Stainalert

1B Top Scorers

Barry McLaughlin Old Wesley 75
Kevin O'Keeffe UCC 50
Rick McKenna UL Bohs 49
Conor McKeon Buccaneers 46
Barry Keeshan Dolphin 37
Peter Osborne Naas 37
Mark Best Ballymena 32

1B Top Try Scorers

Ger Finucane Old Wesley 4
Jordan Conroy Buccaneers 4
Jamie McNamara UL Bohs 4
Rick McKenna UL Bohs 3
Conor McKeon Buccaneers 3
Mark Best Ballymena 3
Sam Windsor Ballynahinch 3
Jordan Grattan Ballynahinch 3
Conor Barry UCC 3
Finbar Aherne UL Bohs 3
Paul Harte Old Wesley 3
Brian Walsh UL Bohs 3
Rodger McBurney Ballymena 3

The Lost Sheep

ym wrote: »

great win for munsters sat, 4 second half tries , was a fantastic game, ucd brought loads to the party and got 5 tries themselves, weird to score 5 tries and still lose

we had goggin in centre and abrie on bench, they got back late from munster duties the night before , been fantastic league so far , the standard of rugby has been very good, helped by the good weather and good refereeing

shannon thomond bruff propping up their respective divisions and all 3 in big trouble - seems like a million years ago when limerick teams dominated .

Well its a decade since Shannons three in a row and there's been just two winners and two runners up since then. It has been "a million years" since they have won and might be a while again before there is several competing at top of the top flight.
Shannon are struggling for many reasons of their own doing. Thomond haven't had players coming through their age grade and have had big turnover of coaches/players recently and Bruff have been rebuilding and are with some very strong underage teams coming through again after a short fallow period...

brockboy02

Interesting to see Tommy O'Brien started at 12 for UCD at the weekend and scored on his debut, Ciaran Frawley also on the bench. Looks like their rule about u20's having to wait a year out of school has changed.

Stainalert

brockboy02 wrote: »

Interesting to see Tommy O'Brien started at 12 for UCD at the weekend and scored on his debut, Ciaran Frawley also on the bench. Looks like their rule about u20's having to wait a year out of school has changed.

Did he score? Irish Rugby has scorers as follows:

YOUNG MUNSTER 37 UCD 31, Tom Clifford Park
Scorers: Young Munster: Tries: Alan Ross, Alan Tynan, Jack Harrington, Alan Kennedy; Cons: David O'Mahony 4; Pens: David O'Mahony 2; Drop: Alan Tynan
UCD: Tries: Jamie Glynn, Josh Murphy, Rob Keenan 2, Andy Marks; Cons: Matthew Gilsenan, Cillian Burke 2
HT: Young Munster 9 UCD 12

brockboy02

Stainalert wrote: »

Did he score? Irish Rugby has scorers as follows:

YOUNG MUNSTER 37 UCD 31, Tom Clifford Park
Scorers: Young Munster: Tries: Alan Ross, Alan Tynan, Jack Harrington, Alan Kennedy; Cons: David O'Mahony 4; Pens: David O'Mahony 2; Drop: Alan Tynan
UCD: Tries: Jamie Glynn, Josh Murphy, Rob Keenan 2, Andy Marks; Cons: Matthew Gilsenan, Cillian Burke 2
HT: Young Munster 9 UCD 12

irish rugby have it wrong, ucd have reported it themselves.

Collidge’s deserved 3 point half-time lead (12-9) gave no inkling of the “try-fest” that was to follow in the second half.
Played in ideal conditions at sunny Clifford Park on Saturday, Collidge settled quickly and an early Collidge maul was well marshalled by skipper Jamie Glynn who took the ball from Brian Cawley at the back and sniped over in the corner for an unconverted try (0-5). 2 Young Munster penalties and a drop goal put the Cookies ahead (9-5) before an incisive midfield break from Matt Gilsenan out-sprinted the home defence and AIL debutant Tommy O’Brien was on Matt’s shoulder to take the pass and scamper in under the posts (9-10) .. Gilly added the extras (9-12) at half-time.

Young Munster opened the second-half with 2 unanswered converted tries for a 23-12 lead. Tom Fletcher then ran in for the first of his 2 tries which Cillian Burke converted (23-19). The home side responded almost immediately to again extend their lead to 11 points (30-19). Andy Marks scored Collidge’s bonus-point try following a superb break from the impressive Colm Mulcahy. Burke converted (30-26).
Collidge now pushed on for a match-winning try but it was the Cookies who next scored .. a converted try for a 37-26 lead. In time-added-on Tom Fletcher scored his second try which salvaged a precious losing bonus point.

Full-time: Young Munster 37 UCD 31

UCD: 15 Andy Marks; 14 Rob Keenan; 13 Colm Mulcahy; 12 Tommy O’Brien; 11 Tom Fletcher; 10 Matt Gilsenan; 9 Jamie Glynn; 1 Mikey Moynihan; 2 Sean McNulty; 3 Jeremy Loughman; 4 Brian Cawley; 5 Jack Dwan; 6 Jonny Guy; 7 Josh Murphy; 8 Greg Jones. Replacements: 16 Gordon Frayne; 17 Liam Hyland; 18 Keelan McKenna; 19 Ciaran Frawley; 20 Cillian Burke.

Stainalert

brockboy02 wrote: »

irish rugby have it wrong, ucd have reported it themselves.

Collidge’s deserved 3 point half-time lead (12-9) gave no inkling of the “try-fest” that was to follow in the second half.
Played in ideal conditions at sunny Clifford Park on Saturday, Collidge settled quickly and an early Collidge maul was well marshalled by skipper Jamie Glynn who took the ball from Brian Cawley at the back and sniped over in the corner for an unconverted try (0-5). 2 Young Munster penalties and a drop goal put the Cookies ahead (9-5) before an incisive midfield break from Matt Gilsenan out-sprinted the home defence and AIL debutant Tommy O’Brien was on Matt’s shoulder to take the pass and scamper in under the posts (9-10) .. Gilly added the extras (9-12) at half-time.

Young Munster opened the second-half with 2 unanswered converted tries for a 23-12 lead. Tom Fletcher then ran in for the first of his 2 tries which Cillian Burke converted (23-19). The home side responded almost immediately to again extend their lead to 11 points (30-19). Andy Marks scored Collidge’s bonus-point try following a superb break from the impressive Colm Mulcahy. Burke converted (30-26).
Collidge now pushed on for a match-winning try but it was the Cookies who next scored .. a converted try for a 37-26 lead. In time-added-on Tom Fletcher scored his second try which salvaged a precious losing bonus point.

Full-time: Young Munster 37 UCD 31

UCD: 15 Andy Marks; 14 Rob Keenan; 13 Colm Mulcahy; 12 Tommy O’Brien; 11 Tom Fletcher; 10 Matt Gilsenan; 9 Jamie Glynn; 1 Mikey Moynihan; 2 Sean McNulty; 3 Jeremy Loughman; 4 Brian Cawley; 5 Jack Dwan; 6 Jonny Guy; 7 Josh Murphy; 8 Greg Jones. Replacements: 16 Gordon Frayne; 17 Liam Hyland; 18 Keelan McKenna; 19 Ciaran Frawley; 20 Cillian Burke.

Thanks Irish Rugby not the most reliable - Fletcher must of been confused for Keenan also

ym

brockboy and stainalert - i think the irish rugby website had him down as a sub

he was brilliant - a huge threat all game , well able to defend too - got a bit of a shock after the game when i discovered this was his first LEague start and he only 18, ye are breeding some fine players up there

we got marys saturday - very difficult game,saw their game v trinity on facebook. three of our four games before xmas away to dublin sides , the home game is garryowen

brockboy02

ym wrote: »

brockboy and stainalert - i think the irish rugby website had him down as a sub

he was brilliant - a huge threat all game , well able to defend too - got a bit of a shock after the game when i discovered this was his first LEague start and he only 18, ye are breeding some fine players up there

we got marys saturday - very difficult game,saw their game v trinity on facebook. three of our four games before xmas away to dublin sides , the home game is garryowen

Tommy O'Brien is someone who is very highly rated, could end up playing centre or wing at pro level. Missed the senior cup last season with an injury, which probably means he is a bit under the radar for most people. Very good athlete with a lot of skill.

brockboy02

Colm Mulcahy is a player who could have easily made the academy setup, if he had avoided injury the past few years. Seen him outplay Sam Arnold when Ireland u18 schools played Ireland u18 clubs.

D14Rugby

brockboy02 wrote: »

Interesting to see Tommy O'Brien started at 12 for UCD at the weekend and scored on his debut, Ciaran Frawley also on the bench. Looks like their rule about u20's having to wait a year out of school has changed.

Was that a rule? Didn't know that. If it was it must have changed cause mary's have been playing Larmour and Doris and they just sat the LC in June. Doris was very young for his year too

brockboy02

D14Rugby wrote: »

Was that a rule? Didn't know that. If it was it must have changed cause mary's have been playing Larmour and Doris and they just sat the LC in June. Doris was very young for his year too

It was a rule in UCD, not elsewhere afaik.

U19's who have played AIL this season: Caelan Doris, Conor Dean & Tommy O'Brien.

The Lost Sheep

1A
Fri 4th 7.30pm
Clontarf v Old Belvedere
Sat 5th 2.30pm
Cork Con v Terenure
Trinity v Lansdowne
St Marys v Young Munster
UCD v Garryowen


1B
Saturday 2.30
Ballymena v Old Wesley
Buccaneers v UL Bohs
Galwegians v Ballynahinch
Naas v UCC
Shannon v Dolphin Thomond Park

2A
Saturday 2pm
Blackrock College v Highfield
2.30pm
Belfast Harlequins v Cashel
Nenagh v Banbridge
5pm
Galway Corinthians v Malone

2B
Friday 7.30pm
Greystones v MU Barnhall
Saturday 2.30pm
Armagh v Old Crescent
Bective Rangers v City Of Derry
Thomond v Skerries
Wanderers v Dungannon

2C
Saturday 2.30pm
Boyne v Sligo
Bruff v Tullamore
Kanturk v Bangor
Midleton v Seapoint
Rainey v Navan

Tarf1234

D14Rugby wrote: »

Thats twice UCD have e got a try bonus point but lost recently.
Is Cian O'Donoghue with anybody does anyone know? The Clongowes Michaels final came up in a conversation today and nobody had a clue whats happened to him.

With Tarf now but currently injured

brockboy02

Tarf1234 wrote: »

With Tarf now but currently injured

Saw Conor Jennings started on the wing last weekend, how'd he go?

The Lost Sheep

Results: Clontarf 13 Old Belvedere 20
Greystones 39 Barnhall 15

The Lost Sheep

1A:
Cork Constitution 31 Terenure College 15, UCD 23 Garryowen 16, Dublin University 14 Lansdowne 25, St. Mary's College 32 Young Munster 34
Clontarf 13 Old Belvedere 20 played on Friday

1B:
Ballymena 25 Old Wesley 27, Buccaneers 49 UL Bohemians 17, Galwegians 24 Ballynahinch 30, Naas 10 UCC 6, Shannon 17 Dolphin 10

2A:
Blackrock College 29 Highfield 21, Belfast Harlequins 14 Cashel 22, Nenagh Ormond 25 Banbridge 5, Corinthians 46 Malone 3

2B:
Armagh 21 Old Crescent 9, Bective Rangers 29 City of Derry 3, Thomond 12 Skerries 6, Wanderers 41 Dungannon 7,
Greystones 39 MU Barnhall 15 played on Friday

2C
Boyne 13 Sligo 15, Bruff 12 Tullamore 15, Kanturk 12 Bangor 17, Midleton 17 Seapoint 19, Rainey Old Boys 13 Navan 17

Tarf1234

brockboy02 wrote: »

Tarf1234 wrote: »

With Tarf now but currently injured

Saw Conor Jennings started on the wing last weekend, how'd he go?

He went ok, he really is not a wing. He started at FB on Friday but moved very early to the wing. Got a try and a few kicks.

brockboy02

Tarf1234 wrote: »

He went ok, he really is not a wing. He started at FB on Friday but moved very early to the wing. Got a try and a few kicks.

probably his first ever game there tbf

The Lost Sheep

Was at Corinthians Malone at the weekend. Corinthians very impressive and if they play like that more often they'll certainly move up table very quickly

ym

Fantastic result for munsters – the ultimate game of two halves – were 24-3 up at half time – 2 tries dan goggin and one from gavin coombes, were very clinical, on the button of half time marys almost had intercept try but marys guy knocked on the intercept on our 22, would would have made it 24-10 and turnoed out to be crucial.

Marys through some fine handling and interplay and a lotta lotta bottle and guts brough it back to 27 all with 4 tries but missed the conversion to go ahead, we got a try from rob guerin with 3 mins left to go 34-27 up and marys scored with last play of match – but conversion stopped short. Lads it was tension personified, real nailbiting stuff

in fairness to marys their hospitality was excellent there was good crowd, love the terracing there and the balcony area give a great view. Our fifth try bonus point won and fourth given away we have highest points scored and against. Going back up to dublin 6 to play nure on saturday which will be very tough. Abrie griesel played scrum half after makin his senior munster debut , good travelling support as well

Got back home to watch all blacks game – that put me through the ringer again!!!

ym

As a lover of the ulster bank league i loved the fact that quite a number of the squad who played against the all blacks come through via the ail

jack mcgrath , donnacha ryan, jordi murphy , conor murray carbery, zebo,
sean cronin all would have played a good bit of AIL , ultan dillane played for corinthians last year
john ryan billy holland on the extended squad too , there may evcen be more guys who cut their teeth via the ail

The Lost Sheep

ym wrote: »

As a lover of the ulster bank league i loved the fact that quite a number of the squad who played against the all blacks come through via the ail

jack mcgrath, donnacha ryan, jordi murphy, conor murray carbery, zebo,
sean cronin all would have played a good bit of AIL, ultan dillane played for corinthians last year
john ryan billy holland on the extended squad too, there may evcen be more guys who cut their teeth via the ail

All players will have spent some time playing AIL bar Payne, Stander who have never been allowed. The AIL plays some role with virtually every player as none really go from kids rugby to playing pro without the step of AIL in between

ym

lost sheep - i should clarify - the players i mentioned probably spent 2 or more seasons playing AIL - there is probably more id just be more familiar withthe munster players - tis a good breeding ground

The Lost Sheep

ym wrote: »

lost sheep - i should clarify - the players i mentioned probably spent 2 or more seasons playing AIL - there is probably more id just be more familiar withthe munster players - tis a good breeding ground

But virtually all pro players will play AIL over 1-3 seasons as theyre in the academy as that's the rugby most will be playing. Even Henshaw played a season plus of AIL and he was playing pro12 regularly from the September after he turned 19

Tarf1234

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

ym wrote: »

lost sheep - i should clarify - the players i mentioned probably spent 2 or more seasons playing AIL - there is probably more id just be more familiar withthe munster players - tis a good breeding ground

But virtually all pro players will play AIL over 1-3 seasons as theyre in the academy as that's the rugby most will be playing. Even Henshaw played a season plus of AIL and he was playing pro12 regularly from the September after he turned 19

Agree From the starting team I can only really think of Payne and Stander (maybe Best, Marmion and Kearney?) who wouldn't have played at least 2 or 3 seasons of AIL or 20s in their club.

RobbieRuns

Marmion has played AIL with Corinthians

ym

remember rob kearney playing with ucd rory best played with banbridge in div 3

The Lost Sheep

Tarf1234 wrote: »

Agree From the starting team I can only really think of Payne and Stander (maybe Best, Marmion and Kearney?) who wouldn't have played at least 2 or 3 seasons of AIL or 20s in their club.

And both Payne/Stander wouldn't have been let as were NIE for 3 years and then just never assigned a club. Marmion grew up abroad and def wont have as he played every pro game the first season he was with Connacht.
Rory Best will have played a few seasons in time from returning from uni in UK and starting to play pro with Ulster.

brockboy02

seems like most of the leinster academy is away on holidays this week... doubt we will see many playing AIL.

RuPi

Similar in Ulster that a lot of players from full, development and academy contracts have booked holidays, a number also in Wales with the 7's squad so may not be available.

brockboy02

RuPi wrote: »

Similar in Ulster that a lot of players from full, development and academy contracts have booked holidays, a number also in Wales with the 7's squad so may not be available.

didn't know the 7's squad was together.. no word on it.

RuPi

Neither did the AIL clubs until Monday when the squad was in Dublin and on Tuesday in Wales not sure how long they are/where in Wales for.

The Lost Sheep

This weekends games.

1A
Friday 7.30pm
Lansdowne v UCD
Saturday 2.30pm
Cork Con v Clontarf, Garryowen v St Marys, Old Belvedere v Trinity, Terenure v Young Munster

1B
Ballynahinch v UCC, Dolphin v Naas, Galwegians v Ballymena, Old Wesley v Buccaneers, UL Bohs v Shannon

2A
Banbridge v Cashel, Highfield v Belfast Harlequins, Malone v Sundays Well, Nenagh v Corinthians, Queens v Blackrock

2B
Friday 8pm
Skerries v Greystones
Saturday 2.30pm
Armagh v Thomond, Dungannon v Bective Rangers, MU Barnhall v Wanderers, Old Crescent v City Of Derry

2C
Friday 8pm
Navan v Boyne
Saturday 2.30pm
Bangor v Seapoint, Kanturk v Bruff, Sligo v Midleton, Tullamore v Rainey

Stainalert

1A

Lansdowne v UCD - James Ryan back in Lansdowne playing for college will be interesting! UCD finally got going last week - hope we can put a stop to that

Cork Con v Clontarf - Con are building some nice momentum but I think Tarf need this more so going with Tarf

Garryowen v St Marys - I think Marys will win this one

Old Belvedere v Trinity - Think home advantage will likely prevail but who would write off Trinity giveb what they have done so far this season

Terenure v Young Munster - Young Munster very much the team on form, Terenure struggling with injuries, I think Munsters will have too much

1B

Ballynahinch v UCC - If Hinch are serious about promotion they really need to win this one

Dolphin v Naas - Naas look like they are on a bit of a roll

Galwegians v Ballymena - Going with Ballymena for this one

Old Wesley v Buccaneers - Top game in the division. Been impressed with Wesley results and think Griggs has been a great addition for them - Wesley to win a tight encounter

UL Bohs v Shannon - Nice derby - I think Bohs will have too much

brockboy02

If Ryan is on form like last weekend, i'd watch out.

Stainalert

brockboy02 wrote: »

If Ryan is on form like last weekend, i'd watch out.

Yea believe he had a stormer - Fantastic player and was a big loss for Lansdowne. Really hope he gets some game time with Leinster soon.

Tarf1234

I thought all of the Leinster lads were not allowed play this week?

brockboy02

Tarf1234 wrote: »

I thought all of the Leinster lads were not allowed play this week?

could be the case.

Stainalert

Tarf1234 wrote: »

I thought all of the Leinster lads were not allowed play this week?

Not sure

Tarf1234

I was told all Leinster academy and up players were being given a full down time week.

stellenbosch

Tarf1234 wrote: »

I was told all Leinster academy and up players were being given a full down time week.

UCD have McNulty/Josh Murphy and Ryan playing tonight although Ryan may not play as he is doubtful due to injury

brockboy02

Tarf1234 wrote: »

I was told all Leinster academy and up players were being given a full down time week.

yeah most seem to be on holiday, with a large number of lads in new york presumably for the fight.

brockboy02

stellenbosch wrote: »

UCD have McNulty/Josh Murphy and Ryan playing tonight although Ryan may not play as he is doubtful due to injury

so the same lads they had last week.

Tarf1234

brockboy02 wrote: »

stellenbosch wrote: »

UCD have McNulty/Josh Murphy and Ryan playing tonight although Ryan may not play as he is doubtful due to injury

so the same lads they had last week.

Could just be guys they're intending on using during international window then.

brockboy02

Full academy players who played last weekend:

Sean McNulty
James Ryan
David O'Connor
Josh Murphy
Charlie Rock
Terry Kennedy

brockboy02

Hopefully Tommy O'Brien starts at 12 again, 2 excellent tries in his 1st two AIL games as an 18 year old.

The Lost Sheep

Likely to be at Galwegians Ballymena tomorrow. Think wegians may edge this
Havent seen a paper yet so haven't seen any teams yet for any games but predictions are...

1A
Lansdowne v UCD - Lansdowne
Cork Con v Clontarf - Clontarf
Garryowen v St Marys - Garryowen
Old Belvedere v Trinity - Trinity
Terenure v Young Munster - Munsters
1B
Ballynahinch v UCC - Ballynahinch
Dolphin v Naas - Naas
Galwegians v Ballymena - Galwegians
Old Wesley v Buccaneers - Buccaneers
UL Bohs v Shannon - UL Bohs
2A
Banbridge v Cashel - Banbridge
Highfield v Belfast Harlequins - Highfield
Malone v Sundays Well - Sundays Well
Nenagh v Corinthians - Nenagh
Queens v Blackrock - Queens
2B
Skerries v Greystones - Greystones
Armagh v Thomond - Armagh
Dungannon v Bective - Bective
Barnhall v Wanderers - Wanderers
Old Crescent v City of Derry - Crescent
2C
Navan v Boyne - Navan
Bangor v Seapoint - Bangor
Kanturk v Bruff - Bruff
Sligo v Midleton - Sligo
Tullamore v Rainey - Rainey

Tarf1234

brockboy02 wrote: »

Hopefully Tommy O'Brien starts at 12 again, 2 excellent tries in his 1st two AIL games as an 18 year old.

Such a pity he didn't get the cup in last year. Great to see him doing so well. Is Mullin anywhere near getting into their first team, was impressed with him last week, albeit our much weakened 20s. Regan also very impressive for them, must be a shoe in for academy.

The Lost Sheep

Ulster Rugby have some of the Ulster clubs squads for this weekends games
http://ulsterrugby.com/news/15449.php#.WCX47E1igdU
Ballynahich squad 1 - 20 Jonny Blair, Jonny Murphy, Craig Trenier, John Donnan, Mike Graham, Callum Irvine, Lorcan Dow, Gareth Gill, Aaron Cairns, James McBriar, Chris Quinn, Stuart morrow, Jordan Gratton, Davy Nicholson and Chris Orr. Bench replacements will include Stuart Orr, Joe Roe and James Simpson with backs replacements to be confirmed tonight.

Ballymena selection 1 - 20 for this weekend: Andrew Warwick, Adam McBurney, Chris Cundell, Alan O'Connor, David Whann Mark Foster, Tony McGuinness, Stephen Mulholland, David Shanahan, Richie McMaster, Jonny Rossborough, Mark Best, Callum Patterson, James Beattie, Rodger McBurney, James Taggart, Andrew Ferguson, Willy McKay, John Creighton, Jordan Foster.

The Lost Sheep

Tonights results

1A: Lansdowne 45 UCD 10
2B: Skerries 11 Greystones 36
2C: Navan 34 Boyne 6